Bottle capping machine



June 20, 1933. J E I v 1,915,067

' BOTTLE GAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 10, 19:50 -9 Sheets-Sheet 1 W I IATWOBNY June 20, 1933. MEYER 1,915,067

BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 10, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNl/EN TORATTORNEY m 1933' I G. J. MEYER 1,915,067

BOTTLE CAFPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 10, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 II 129 ml 14 J2? I ||I I I; I- I June 20, 1933.

G. J. MEYER BOTTIDEQCAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 9 Sheets- Sheet 7 E6 22llllll" W/ TNEJSEJ Q V L'E-W Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENToF-Fice GEORGE J. MEYER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOB 'I'O J. m3MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF CUDA'HY, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION 01WISCONSIN BOTTLE GAIPING MACHINE Application filed November 10, 1930.Serial No. 494,657.

The invention relates to container closing machines and moreparticularly to machines for capping bottles.

An object of the invention is to provide a bottle capping machineincluding a revo-- luble group of capping or crowning devices Which aresuccessively operated by reciprocatory actuating means common to thegroup."

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottle capping machinein which the capping devices are provided with flat-topped segmentsengageable by the reciprocatory ac tuating means, and in which thesuccessive capping devices" are both depressed and" elevated by theactuating means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a capping machineincluding capping heads, the lower portions of which are swingablymounted for facilitating the removal of defective crowns. p

A further object of the invention is to provide a bottle capping machinein which the capping heads are equipped with yieldingly mounted ledgesonto which the crowns aredeposited preceding the crowning operation.

A further object of the invention is. to provide a bottle cappingmachine including a simple but effective crown selector for properl'yentering the crowns into the crown chute. i A further object of theinvention is to provide a bottle capping machine in which the crownhopper is provided with an interior perforated bottom for facilitatingremoval of foreign matter from the crowns, and in which the crownselector is pivotally mounted on the-crown hopper for expediting accessto the interior of the hopper and selector.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bottle capping machineincluding a crown chute which is so constructed as to facilitate themovement of crowns therealong, and which has its lower end equipped witha movable gate for facilitating the removal of defective crowns.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafter setforth and more particularly defined by the annexed claims.-

This application constitutes a continuation in part of my co-pendingapplication for Filling and capping machine, Serial No. 7

189,548, filed May 7, 1927.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bottlecapping machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectionalviewof the machine 1 Fig. 5 is a sectional viewtaken along the line 5'5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 77 of Fig. 3;

Fig. -8 is a detail view artly in section showing the capping headepressing means as it appears near the beginnmgof the capping operation;

Fig. 9 is a similar,view showin the capping head depressing means near te end of the capping operation;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 1010.of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a detail view showing the upper ends of a number of adjacentcapping heads;

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional elevation of the lower portions of one ofthe capping heads;-

Fig. 13 is another sectional elevation of the lower portions of one ofthe capping heads taken at right angles to the plane of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detailelevation of the lower portions of the capping head;

Fig. 15 is a bottom view of two adjacent capping heads as they appearwhen assembled on the machine;

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view showing one of the crowningsupporting ledges of Fig. 12 in its retracted position;

Fig. 17 is a detail elevation of the upper portion of the cappingmachine, a crown chute and crown selector thereof being ;5

Fig. 20 is a transverse sectional view of the crown ch uteitaken alongthe line -20 of Fig. 17;

ig. 21 is a similar view taken along the line 2121 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 22is a front elevation ofthe crdwn selector, parts being brokenaway and parts being shown in section;

Fig. 23 is a. fragmentary top plan view of the crown hopper, the crownselector thereof being shown in open position;

Fig. 24 is a detail view showing the inner face of the crown selector;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary sectional view of the discharge portion of thecrown selector showing an improperly presented crown;

Fig. 26 is a similar view showing a properl selected crown;

ig. 27 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form ofcappingmachine; Fig. 28 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 28-28of .Fig. 27;

Fig. 29'is a sectional view taken along the line 29-29 of Fig. 27, and vFig. 30 is a sectional view taken along the line 30-30 of Fig. 29.

In that embodiment of the invention shown in Figs, 1 to 26 inclusive,the-numeral designates a hollow base which in practice may form a part;of a combined filling and closing machine. A bearing bracket 36includes a flat upper portion secured to the upper wall of the base, asby screws 37, and includes a cup-shaped portion 38 depending into theinterior of the base. An upright tubular standard 39 has its lowerreduced "end portion secured in the reduced lower end of the bearingbracket 36, as by means of a bolt40. 'A- sleeve 41 is journalled aboutthe tubular standard 39 .and has its lower end portion-extending intothe cup-shaped portion 38 of the bearing bracket 36, where it isprovided with a driving gear 42. A cover 43 receives the rotary sleeve41 therethrough and is secured to the bearing bracket to close the spacein which the gear is housed. A- bearing frame 44 is disposed within thehollow base 85 and is fixedly secured to the depending portion of thebearing bracket 36 and also to the lower portions of the base. I Ahorizontally-extending shaft 45 is journalled in the frame 44 and isdrivenby any suitable I source of power. .A 46 are secured to theportions of a horizontally extending shaft 48 air 'of spaced pinions vaft 45 and mesh-with gear wheels 47 secured to the opposite end which isjournalled on the frame 44 in parallel relationto the shaft 45.- A bevelpinion 49 is secured to the shaft 48 and meshes with a superposed bevelgear 50 which is secured to a gear 51 the latter gear being journalledon an upright stationary shaft 52 secured in the bearing frame 44 and inthe bearing bracket- 36. The gear 51 .meshes with the gear 42 forrotating the sleeve .41 and also meshes with a large diameter gear 53which I forms part of a bottle filling mechanism, not shown. Y

Thegear wheels 47 carry ali ed crank pins 54 at their outer faces. esecrank pins are journalled in blocks 55 slidably mounted in channels 56formed in the spaced arms of a U-sha'ped rocker frame 57, which ispivotally supported on a bracket 58 secured to the lower portions of thebase 35. A trun-- nion 59 is journalled in the rocker frame 57 to swingabout a horizontal axis, and is provided with a depending boss 60 whichis internally threaded to' receive the threaded lower end of areciprocatory rod 61.housedwithin the tubular standard 39. Theoscillation of the rocker frame by its crank connection with the gears47 acts to reciprocate the rod 61 simultaneously with the rotation ofthe sleeve 41. By this construction, the loads on the bearings arereduced and equalized and a heavy load canbe imposed on the rod61'without causing racking frame or the driving connectlons.

A circular table 62 is carried on an intermediate portion of the sleeve41 and is rovided at its upper surface with resi lentbottle-supportingpads 63. A star wheel 64 is secured above the tableand, in the present instance, is provided with five bottle-receivinnotches. The'upper end ortion of the tu ular standard 39 is internal ythreadedto catory'rod 61 passes through the sleeve 65 and is splinedthereto by a key 66, An annularof the rocker receive therein the' lowerend portion of an exteriorly threaded sleeve 65. :The reciproby a key70. The'tubular portion of the capping head support is provided with anumber of annular grooves 71 to receive the inwardly extending ribs.72of a split bushin 73. Atubular spool-shaped capping hea guide 74 has itsupper rtion surrounding the split-bushing 73 an secured thereto byscrews 75, thus suspending the guide. from the capping head support. Thelower portionsof the cappingv head uide 'slidably fit about the upperportions 0 the sleeve 41 to which they are splined by a key '76. Thecapping head guide is thus driven from the sleeve 41 and is suspendedfrom the split bushing 73 which rotatabl fits on the grooved lower endof the capping iead support 68.

"A bevelgear 77 is fixedly secured to the upper end of the sleeve-67 andmeshes with a bevel pinion 78 carried on a horizontal shaft 79journalled in an extension 80 formed integrally with the ca ping head suport. At its outer end the sha 79 carries a and crank 81 which, whenturned, serves to adjust the mechanism for use with bottles of difierentheight. .When the crank is turned in one direction, the sleeve 67 isscrewed downwardly into the standard 39, and simultaneously the'reciprocatory rod 61 is. screwed downwardly ner indicated in Fig. 11.The outer projecting edges of the segments 85 are adapted to slidablyrest on an inturned flange or ledge 86 formed on the capping headsupport 68, as best seen in Fig. 10, and the reduced inner edge portionsof each segment are adapted to slidably rest on an outstanding rib orledge 87 formed on a sleeve 88 which fits about the outer periphery ofthe capping head guide 74 and is secured to the capping head support byone or more screws 89. The inner edges of the segments are concave tofit about the circular periphery; of the sleeve 88 and thus prevent.rotation of the capping heads on their axes. During assembly, thecapping heads are dropped into position onto the supporting ledges 86and 87 through an opening 90 formed in the upper portion of the headsupport, as seen in Fig. 6. As seen in Fig. 7, the tracks or ledges 86and 87 do not extend completely around the capping head support.

support 68, but are spaced to form an opening somewhat longer than eachsegment 85, so that the capping heads may be successively depressed atthe capping position, as hereinafter described.

The upper end portion-of the reciprocatory rod 61 projects above thebevel gear 77 and carries thereon a spring housing 91.. The upper end ofthe rod is provided with a flange 92 engaging the spring housing, and

a strap 93 passes over the upper end of the flange and is secured bybolts 94 to the spring housing for retaining thehousing against relativelongitudinal movement with respect to the rod while permitting therotary adjustment of the rod. The spring housing carriesa lateralextension 95 which slidably fits about a rod 96 upstanding from thecapping head support 68, thus preventing rotation of the spring housingwith respect to the The spring housing includes upper and lower flanges97 and 98 between which is interposed a coiled spring 99 engageable withend plates 100, the upper of which is en- 4 gageable with the upperflange 97 and the lower of which isengageable with the upper part of ahook-"shaped member 101. The spring 99 is'held in compressed relation bythe end plates 100 which are adjustably connected by screws 102 enteringone of the end plates, and having their head portions seated in tubes103 secured to the other end plate. The compression of the spring ispreferably on the order of 800 or 900 pounds. The upper end of thespring is held in position by a plug 104 threaded into the flange 97 andpassing through the upper end plate 100, and the lower end of the springis held in position by the reduced end of a plunger 105 which isslidably mounted in a bore 106 formed in the capping head support 68,the upper portions of the plunger 105 passing through the flange 98 arenon-circular to prevent. rotation of the plunger. A plate 102 isdisposed below the flange 98 and receives the plun er 105 therethrough.The end portions 0 the plate are secured to screws 103 which slidablypass through the flange 98 and are secured to the lower spring plate 100and the upper portions of the ooh-shaped member 101. The lower portionsof the plunger 105 are provided with a.

downwardly diverging V-shaped opening 107 terminating at its upper endin a horizontal bore 108. A toggle member 109 has a cylindrical upperend journalled in the bore 108 and has its lower end engageable with"the successiv ly presented segments 85 of the capping heads. The togglemember is normally held in the position of Fig. 8 by a. spring 110, orother suitable expedient, so that during the capping operation, ashereinafter described, the toggle member will pass over center as thesegment moves laterallyof the toggle member. The toggle member is heldin'position by a detachable plate 111 secured in plapeby a screw 112.

Each tubular capping head body 84 is exteriorly threaded at its lowerend for the reception of a cup-shaped cap 113, as seen in Figs. 12 and13. An ejector plunger 114 is housed withinthe capping head body and isprovided with a flange 115 near its lower end portion engageable withthe inturned bottom flange of the cap 113. A coiled spring 116surrounding the ejector plunger 114 is housed within the tubular cappinghead body 84 and at its upper end bears against the lowermost of anumber of plates or shims 117 by which the travel of the ejector plungeris adj ustahly limited. The compression of the spring 116 issomewhatless than the compression of the spring 99.- A sector body 118'includes a tubular upper portion 119 which fits about the cap 113 and isclamped thereto by a bolt 120 passing through a vertically 'splitportion of the sector body and entering an annular groove 121 formed inthe cap. The tubular portion of the sector body also houses and retainsa crowning throat or die 122 which abuts against the lower face of thecap 113 and is provided with a downwardly diverging conical crowningopening 123. Acrowning tip 124 secured to the lower end of the ejectorplunger 114 is dis osed within the opening 123 and is provide with aconcave lower face 125 engageable with the bottle crown. The sector body118 is provided with spaced de ending portions 126 between which fits aotte centering guide 127 pivotally secured at its lower rear portions tothe'depending portion 126 of the sector body by means of pins 128, thebottle centering guide being swingable downwardly as indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 13. Immediately below the crowning throat or. die 122, thesector body 118 and the upper portion of the botlug 131 formed on thesector upper faceof the lever engaging the lower as seen in Fig. 12..The pivota tle centering guide 127 are 0 en at forward portions for theadmission 0 a bottle crown 129 into the space immediately below theopening 123 inthe crowning throat. The bottle centering guide 127 isheld in its normal position by a lever 130 pivotally mount ed on a In131 formed on the sector body, and at its reeend portion 'en agesanother body, the flat face of a projecting portion 132 of the bottlecenterin guide, as seen' in 'Figs. 13 and 14. At its ower portions, thebottle centering guide 127 is provided witha downwardly flaring opening133 b which the neck of a bottle 134' is center with respect to thecrowning throat or die. The crown 129 is supported in its deliveredposition by resting at opposite edges'on 1e ge members 135 pivotallysuspended in opposite recessed side portions 'of the'bottle centeringguide 127,

suspende ledge members 135 are norma ly held by their weight in positionto support a crown thereon preparato to the crowningoperation, but areca ab e of swinging outwardly as indicated inv 16 to avoid interference-with the crowning o ation or the ejection of the, crowned bott e. Bythe use of the swinging'ledges, the crown is given asubstantial supportwithout danger of the bottle beingsuspended from the le ges at the timeof e ection. a

T e extension of the ca in head sup port has secured thereto as y olts136 a superposed crown hopper 137. "The crown hopper is. provided withan inclined bottom 138 and an inclined perforated bottom 138' spacedthereabove as seen in Fig. 17, to permit foreign matter tosift'throughand to enter a receptacle139 formed at the lower end of thehop the rece tacle bein closed by a slidahl mounted oor1140. flatvertically. extending wall 141 of the hopper is provided with a'circularoutwardlyflaring opening 142 through which crowns are discharged fromthe hopper. An outstanding circular rib 143 is integrally formed on thewall 141 concentric with the opening 142 to rotatably receive therein apair of disk-like crown selector plates 144 and 145,

which are spaced at their outer portions.

The plate 145 is provided with a hub 146- about which the plate 144 issecured as by screws 147. The hub 146 is joumalled on aninwardly-projecting shaft 148 fixedly secured to the hub portion 149 ofa spider frame 150, the inner ends of the hub 146 and cess to the crownselector and the interior of the ho per. The s ider frame 150 isnormally held in close position by a suitable latch member 155.

The crown selector plate 145 hasratchet teeth 156 formed about itsperipher for engagement with a sprin -pressed paw 157 carried at theouter end 0 a rocker arm 158 journalled on the hub portion 149 of thespider. frame 150. The rocker arm is reciprocated by a verticallyextending rod 159 passing substantially axiallythrough the pivot pin 152and secured at its lower end to an extension arm 160 fixedly carried onthe spring-housing 91. The reciprocation of the spring-housing 91 by therod 61 thus serves to rotate the selector assembly through the ratchetconnection 156, 157. The crown selector plate 144 is provided with aplurality of outwardly flaring openings 161 which register with thecircular ogening 142 in the hopper and are separated y outstanding ribs162 of triangular cross-section projecting through the 0 ing. 142 toform agitators. At its peripheral portions, the se ector plate 144 isoffset outwardly and is s aced from the similarly offset portions of. eselector plate 145 to form an angular crown-receiving assage betweenthem. A narrow shoul er 163 is plate 144 and is enga ble with theflaring corrugated edge portions of an improperly presented crown, asindicated in Fig. 25, to prevent such crown from moving through theformed on the offset portions'of the selector THO oflset passa e betweenthe plates, and for v preventing e crown from jamming in this position.During'the rotation of the selector plates, such improperly resentedcrown will be lifted and will final y fall back into'the hopper to befurther agitated. As indicated in Fig. 26, a'properly presented crownwill not be stopped at the shoulder 163, since the rounded edges of thecrown will merely ride over the conical surface 163 of the selector'plate 144, and thus ,permit the crown to I to the periphery of theplates. To facilitate the movement of properly presented crowns, theface of the selector plate' 144 defim'n one wall of the crown passage isprovided w th a shallow concave groove 164 concentric with the axis ofthe plate.

' The lower portions of the annular rib 143 are provided with a notch165, which registers with a crown chute 166 pivotally suspended by meansof a pin 167 to the lower portion oi the crown hopper. The crown chuteincludes a curved lower portion terzminating in a lip 168 which isslidably enopening through" which the crown may he withdrawn, The crownchute is held in proper position with respect to the capping heads by aremovable pin 171 passing through a lug 172 formed on the crown chuteand also through a bracket 173 fixedly depending from the extension 88of the capping head support. Upgn the removal of the pin 171, the crownchute may be swung outwardly from the capping heads about its pivot pin167. The crown chute is provided'with a crown rejector which includesdeflectors 17d disposed at the opposite side walls of the crown chuteandengageable with the flanges of an improperly presented crown to shuntthe crown through an opening 17 5 in the chute and into a receptacle178. In order to facil itate the movement of the crowns along the crownchute, the inner wall of the chute is made convex, as seen in Fig. 20,and the outer wall is formed by a medially located guide her 177extending lengthwise of the chute and mounted on cross bars 17 8, whichare secured to the chute by screws 179. The guide her 177 is engaged bythe flaring edges of the.

crowns, as seen in Fig. 20. At the lower por tlon of the chute, guidelips 186 are secured to the chute to form additional support for thecrowns. During the revolution of the capping heads, the discharge end ofthe crown chute intermittently registers with the crown receivingcavities of the capping heads, and at all other times the lower end ofthe crown chute is blocked by the curved outer surfaces of the cappinghead sector bodies 118.

The bottlesto be crowned are conducted to and away from the cappingtable 62 in any suitable manner. Where the capping mechanism forms partof a combined filling and closing machine, the bottles may betransferred from the filling mechanism 181 to the capping table by meansincluding a star wheel 182, as indicated in Fig. 2. The bottles "areconducted away from the capping table between suitable guides 183, whichlead the are indicated by arrows in Fig. 2.

bottles to a fiat-topped conveyor chain 184.

The incoming bottles may be conducted to the filling mechanism from thesame'conveyor chain 184 by means of guides 185, which lead the bottlesto a star wheel 186. The directions of rotation of the fillingmechanism, capping table, and the transfer star wheels The star wheels182 and 186 are carried at the upper ends of vertical shafts 187 and188, respectively, which are-journalled in the upper portion of thebearing bracket 36, and which are driven at the proper speed in anysuitable manner, as by means of gears 189 at their lower ends meshingwith the ring gear 53-.

The U-shaped rocker frame 57 which reciprocates the capping rod 61 mayalso be used to operate parts of the filling mechanism, such as thefilling siphons, valves, or bottle lifters. For this purpose, a-pair ofvertical rods 190 are slidably mounted in the upper portions of thebearing-bracket 36 to extend therethrough and hear at their lower ends 1on the upper surfaces of the arms 56 of the rocker frame. At their upperends, the rods 190 are connected by a horizontal plate 191 which isengageable with the lower ends or rods 19% for operating filling siphonsor" complishing the various functions of the machine.

Tn operatiomthe rotary cappingtable 62 carried on the sleeve 41 isrotated through gearing connections, heretofore described, including thegears 42, 51, 50, and 19, and simultaneously the rod 161 within thetubular standard 39 is reciprocated by the'crank operated rocker frame57, In the present instance, the rod is given five completereciprocations for each revolution of the capping table, correspondingto the number of capping heads. The rotary spool 74, carrylng the fivecapping heads, is driven synchronously with the capping table by itssplined connection with the upper portions of the rotary sleeve 11, I Assoonas the upper segment 85 of one of the capping heads leaves thesupporting ledges 86 and 87 on the capping head support, the segment isdeposited onto the lower inwardly projecting end of the gages movementof -the capping head, the bottle neck is uided into the capping head andene crown, the crown being pushed onto the bottle neck by thespring-pressed ejector plunger 114. As the cappin' rod approaches itslowermostposition, t e toggle member 109 is brought into engagement withthe upper flat face of the segment 85' under the pressure of the spring99, thus urging the capping head downwardly and crimping the crown,which is now in the crowning dieor throat 122, firmly about the bottleneck.

During the further, movementof the bottle segment 85, the toggle memberswings about its pivotal mounting in the plunger 106, thus creating apowerful crown ng pressure while" avoiding any appreciable Slldlllgmovement of the toggle member on the segment during the application ofthe crowning pressure. As

the capping rod 61 rises, the capping head also risesby the reaction ofthe spring 116 which acts through the ejector lungerv 114 to push thecrowned bottle out o the crowning throat. After-the ejector plunger isreleased from the bottle, the cappin head is lifted by the hook member101 unt' the segment 85 is in register with the ledges 86 and 87,whereupon the continued movement, of

. the capping head brin p the segment into sliding en mentwi theseledges. The bottle is t en discharged from the capping table and, as thecapping head revolves, it receives another crown from the crown chute166. The cycle of operationis then repeated with the next capping head.

In the modified form of capping machine shown in Figs. 27 to 30inclusive, the numeral face of which is substantially flush with theupper surface of the platform. The conveyor chain 216 may extend beyondthe opposite ends of the platform 212 any desired distance, and in thepresent instance, one end of the chain passes over a sprocket 217 whichis rotatably mounted in an outrigger bracket 218 secured to the platformat an end of the chain-receiving channel 215., The lower flight ofthe'chain may be supported in a channel plate 215 suspended below theplatform 212, as seen in Fig-27. The upper flight of the bottle conveyorchain travels in thedirection indicated by an arrow in Fig.

29. The s rocket 217 at the discharge endof the chain 216 is thepropelling sprocket" for the chain, and is mounted on 'a' shaft 220 vethe base plate 210 1n fixed "heads bein lower end portion 272 on whichis screwed ahand wheel 273 wherebythe pillar may be adjusted inelevation. A rotary capping table 274 surrounds and is journalled on an7 intermediate portion: of the pillar 271, and is carried in axialthrust relation on the upper end of the column 270 throu h an interposedanti-friction bearing 275. he rotary table 274 is provided with'asurrounding ear 276 which meshes with a ring gear 227 orming part of aeo-ordinated bottle filling mecha- ..nism, not shown.-. The ring gearmeshes with a pinion 228' (seen in Fig. 27) secured to a shaft 229journalled in a bearing bracket 230 mounted on the base plate 210. Thevertical shaft 229 carries a bevel eat 23). meshin with a bevel inion232 eyed at one on of a horizon shaft 233, which is also journaled inthe bearin bracket230. The other end of the horizonta shaft 233 can riesa gear wheel 234 which meshes with a laterally. adjacent inion 235secured to one end of a horizonta shaft 236-journalled in bearingbrackets 237, the other end of the shaft 236 carryin 'a pulley 238 whichis driven by any suit ble source of power, such as an electric motor.

The upper face of the rotary capping table 274 carries a resilientbottle-receiving capping disk 274', which is substantially flush withthe upper s'urface of the platform 213,

there being a circularv opening in the plat-' A form slightly largerthan the table to permit the free rotation of the table.

A central sleeve 277 forming part of the table 274 projects upwardly'aove the disk 274' to surround the stationary pillar 271 on whichit isjournalled. The sleeve has a splined connection with the lower rtion ofa capping head turret 278 which a so has a bearing on the upper endportion of the stationa pillar 271. A bottle-receiving star wheel 27 iskeyed onthe sleeve 277 in adjustable elevation above' the table 274;

- The capping head turret carries a concentric circular group ofvertically movable s rin -mounted cappingheads or plungers 9 w ich aresupplled with'caps or crowns throu h a chute 280 connected to a hopper281.. n the present instance, the upper end of each capping or crowninghead 279 is provided with an. arcuate flat-topped segment 282, thesegments for the several capping 'arran d in a circular grou concentricaly disposed about the axis of the turret 278, as seen in .Fig. 29. Alever 283 is disposed above the capping head turret with a portionimmediately above the cap ping station, and carries a conical roller'284which rolls on the flat horizontal upper surface of the segments 282.At-its forward portion the lever 283 is guided for vertical movement ina guide fork 283, and at its rear end, the lever is pivotally secured toone armof a bell crank 285 which is pivotally mounted on a standard 286bolted to the platform 212 The end of the bell crank 285' pivotallycarrying a lever 283 normally engages the upper end of an abutment 287on :the standard 288. A. coiled spring 288 adjusted to a suitablecompression urges the other end of the bell crank 285 upwardly, so as tonormally maintain the bell crank in engagement with the abutment 28?'lhe free end of the lever 283 has pivotally secured thereto a dependingreach rod 289,

, the lower end of which passes through the platform 212 and is guidedfor substantially vertical movement by its pivotal connection with thefree end of a laterally extending link 290 (seen in Fig 30) having itsother end pivotally secured to the platform 212. A connecting rod 291has its lower end mounted on a crank pin 292 on the gear wheel 234 andhas its upper end pivotally secured to'the lower end of the reach rod289 at-its pivotal junction with the free end of the link 290. By meansof the above connection, the rotation of the gear wheel 234 effects thevertical reciprocation of the reach rod 289, which in turn rocks thelever 283 carrying the roller 284. On the downward movement of the reachrod 289, the roller 284 depresses the subjacent' capping head effectingthe capping operation. I v

' The filled bottles are transferred onto the rotary capping table 274in any suitable manner, as by means including a star wheel 293 securedto the upper end of a suitably driven vertical shaft 294. .The bottlesare guided in their discharge from the capping table to the conveyorchain 216 by spaced guide plates 296 forming a bottle-receiving channelbetween them, as seen in Fig. 29, the guide plates 296 being preferablyextended along the sides of the chain.

In the operation of the machine of Figs. 27 to 30 inclusive, the bottlesare successively deposited on the rotary capping table where the bottlesenter the notches of the star wheel 277', to properly locate them withrespect to the superposed capping heads. -As each capping head passesunder the conical roller 284 of the lever 283, the lever is pulleddownwardly by its crank connectionwith the rotating gear whepl 234, andthe roller 284 thereupon engages the arcuate segment 282 to depress theattached capping head for effecting the capping of the subjacent bottle.

The capping operation takes place while the bottle is moving with theslowly rotating table 274, and during this interval, the conical roller284 rolls over the arcuate segment 282 on the capping head as the crankoperated lever 283 is first depressed and then elevated, the cappinghead being in its lowest posi-, tion when the roller is at the centralportion of the segment, After the capping operation, the capping head iselevated by its spring, and during the next depression of the lever 283,the roller actsonthe succeeding arcuate segment which comes intoposition beneath the roller, The capped bottles are then guided 0d thecapping table and onto the conveyor chain 216 by the guide plates 296,whereupon the bottles are conducted to the discharge end ofthe chain.Thecapping heads in their further revolution receive crowns from thecrown chute 288. 8

During the capping operation, capping, pressure is determined by thecompressed coiled spring 288 acting on the lever 283 through the bellcrank 285, and if the capping head meets with unusual resistance, the

inner end of the lever 283 will rise above the abutment 287, therebyavoiding excessive crowning pressure. The spring 288 is compressed to anextent several times greaterthan the maximum spring action to obtainpressure will increase only a small amount during the capping of abottle which is. longer than normal, With this capping an rangement, thecapping pressure varies negligibly with longer or shorter bottles.

The term capping as herein used is not confined to the application ofany particular type of bontainer closure.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

the initial crowning pressure, so that this 1. In a container closingmachine, the combination of a container support, a revoluble group ofcapping heads disposed above said support, a plurality of segmentsrespectively carried on said capping heads, and reciprocatory actuatingmeans for successively depressing said capplng heads as they revolveinto capping position, said reciproca'tory means including a togglemember engageable with the upper faces of said segments.

3; In a container closing machine, the combination of a containersupport, a revoluble group of capping heads disposed above said support,a lever engageable with said ca ping heads for successively depressingsaid capping heads as they revolve into ca ping position, means forreciprocatin said ever, and a yieldable fulcrum for said ever.

4. In a container closing machine, the combination of a containersupport, a capping head disposed above said support, a lever foractuating said capping head, a second s ringloaded lever ivotallysecured to sai firstnamed lever or providing a yieldable fulcrum forsaidfirst-named lever, and, means for periodically operating saidfirst-named lever to depress said capping head.

bination of a lower container support, a stationary up r capping headsupport disposed above said container support, a revoluble group ofcapping heads suspended from I said upper support, and reciprocatorymeans common to said' cap ing heads for successively depressing saicapping heads as they revolve into capping position and for elevatingsaid capping heads into supported en- 95 gagement with said uppersupport.

6. In a container closing machine, the combination of a hollow support,a rotary container-supporting table surrounding said support, a rotaryturret disposed above said table, a plurality of vertically movablecapping heads carried on said.turret,a reci rocatory rod extendingwithin said. he ow support, operating means for said rod, and meanscarried on the upper portion of said rod for successively depressingsaid capping heads as they revolve into closing position.

7. In a container closing machine, the combination of a containersupport, a stationary capping head support dis osed above said' 0container support, a revolu le group of capping heads suspended fromsaid upper support and having segments attheir upper portions slidablyresting on said upper support,

a and reciprocatory actuating means common engageable with said segmentsfor successively depressing said heads from said upper support as theyrevolve into cap ing position, said actuating means inclu 'ng otherportions engageable with said capping heads for elevatin said heads intosupported en gagement with said upper support. a d 8. In a containerclosing machine, the combination of a container support, a cappingheaddisposed above said support, a reciprocatory rod having an operativeconnectionwith said capping head, a pivotally support ed rocker framehaving laterally spaced arms, 1 means for. pivotally connecting said,rod to said rocker frame intermediate said'spaced' arms, and a rotarymember having crank connections with each of said arms forreciproeating. said rocker frame and connected'rod.

9. In a container closing machine, the combination. of a containersupport, a capping 5. In a container closing machine, the comto saidcapping heads and including portions v ratory capping head dis headdisposed above said support, a reciprocatory rod having an operativeconnection with said capping head, a pivotally supported forked rockerframe having spaced arms,

means for pivotally connecting said rod to 5 said rocker frameintermediate the spaced arms of the rocker frame, and a rotary memberdisposed between the spaced arms of said rocker frame and having crankconnections with said arms for reciprocating said rocker frame andconnected rod.

. 10. In a container closing machine, the combination of a tubularstandard, a container support disposed about said standard, acappinghead disposed above said standard, a reciprocatory rod disposedwithin said I support and operatively connected with said capping head,a pivotally supported rocker frame adjacent the lower end of saidstandard, a trunnion journalled insaid rocker frame and having athreaded connection with said rod, a rotary member having a crankconnection with said rocker frame for reciprocating said rocker frameand connected rod, and means for rotatin said rod for adjusting theelevationof sai capping head with. respect to the container support.

. 11. In a contai r closing machine, the

combination of a container support, a recipsaid rod, and means forsimultaneously rotating said sleeve and rod to adjust the elevation ofsaidcapping head and its supporting member for accommodating containersof different height.

12. In a container closing machine, the combination of a containersupport, a recip-' sed above said support, a supporting mem r for saidcapping head, a hollow standard, a sleeve having'a threaded'connectionwith said stand- 'ard and'sustaining said head-supporting member,'areciprocatory rod dis within said sleeve and standard an having anoperative connection with said capping head, said rod and sleeve beingsecured against relative rotation, a' reci rocatory actuatinmemberhavingi a threa ed connection witfiv said rod, a gear carried onsaid sleeve, and gearing means meshing with said gear for simultaneouslyrotating said sleeve and rod to adjust the elevation of said cappinghead and its supportin 'member for accommodatin'gaco'ntainers 0different height.

. In a container closing machine, the

coroner 9 combination of a hollow base including an upper 'waiLa tubularstandard upstanding from said upper wall, a rotary, sleeve sur roundingsaid standard and including a portion beiow said wall, arotary containersupport carried on said sleeve above said upper ivaii, gearingconnections disposed below said Waii for rotating said containersupport, a capping head support carried at the 19 upper portions of saidstandard, a capping head carried on said last-named support, a

reciprocatory' rod disposed within said standard and having an operativeconnection with capping head, the lower end of said rod being below theupper wall of said base, and

disposed below said wall for recipro' eating said rod,

142, in a container closing machine, the combination of a rotarycontainer support, a capping head disposed above said support,

a capping head support, and means extending sobstantiaiiy axiaiiy ofsaid container support for reciprocating said capping head F.

adjusting the elevation of said capping I head support to accommodatebottles of difforemheight,

150 In a container closing machine, the combination of acontainer-supporting means, a revoinhie, groan of capping" heads abovesaid supporting means, and reciprocatory actuating means for.successiveiyoperai ing said capping heads as they revolve into cappingposition and inciuding a pivotaily mounted member engageable with saidcaph-eads,

16, In a container closing machine, the combination ofcontainer-supporting means, a revoinble group of capping heads abovesaid. supporting means, a reciprocatory member arranged substantiaiiyalong the axis of said capping head group, operating means for saidmemiier, and means carried on said member for successiveiy operatingsaid capping heads: w 17. In a container-closing machine, thecombination of container supporting; means, a revoicbie grasp of cappingheads above said supporting? means,-reciprocatory actu sting means forsuccessiveiy operating said capping heads as they revolve into cappingposition, and spring means for said acttiat=. ingi means pieced undera-substantiai deiiec tion-produced initiei stress to minimize thevariation in capping pressure appiied to containers which are shorter orlonger than normal,

In testimony whereof I. afiz: my signature;

scones J, MEYER

